We audited the City of Bayonne, NJ's (City) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) economic development activities in response to a complaint (HL- 09-1015) that contained four allegations. Our audit objectives were to determine whether the City (1) disbursed CDBG economic development funds efficiently and effectively in accordance with its submission to HUD and with the applicable rules and regulations, (2) used CDBG economic development…

We completed an audit of the City of Jersey City’s (City) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) float loan activity. Our audit objective was to determine whether the City ensured that CDBG funds used for the float loan complied with applicable rules and regulations. The City did not comply with applicable regulations and failed to take timely action when the float loan defaulted. Specifically, it did not (1) make a good faith effort to…

We completed an audit of the City of Jersey City's (City) capacity to administer Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Our objectives were to evaluate the City’s capacity in the areas of internal controls, eligibility, financial controls, procurement, and output/outcomes in administering CDBG funds. The City generally had adequate financial…

We completed an audit of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the City of Paterson (City). Our audit objectives were to determine whether the City (1) disbursed CDBG funds efficiently and effectively in accordance with its submission to HUD and applicable rules and regulations and (2) had a financial management system in place to adequately safeguard the funds. The City did not always disburse CDBG funds efficiently…

We completed an audit of the Union County Consortium's (County) administration of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to determine whether the County (1) disbursed CDBG funds efficiently and effectively in accordance with its submission to HUD and in compliance with HUD rules and regulations, (2) maintained a financial management system to adequately safeguard funds, and (3) established adequate controls to ensure that…

We completed an audit the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administrated by the Township of South Orange Village (Township), a subgrantee of the Essex County Consortium (County). Our audit objectives were to determine whether the Township disbursed CDBG funds efficiently and effectively in accordance with its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and with applicable rules and regulations, had a…

We completed an audit of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Economic Development Corporation (Corporation), a subgrantee of Essex County Consortium (the County). Our audit objectives were to determine whether the Corporation adequately administered its CDBG program in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Specifically, whether it efficiently and effectively disbursed CDBG funds, had a financial…

We completed an audit of the County of Essex's (County) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which was administered by its Division of Housing and Community Development. Our audit objectives were to determine whether the County disbursed CDBG funds efficiently and effectively in accordance with its submission to HUD and applicable rules and regulations and had a financial management system in place to adequately safeguard the…

NEWARK, N.J. – A former Newark city official and officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corp. (NCEDC), along with two Newark business owners, were indicted today by a federal grand jury in connection with a conspiracy for the official to obtain corrupt payments intended to influence and reward him for assisting the business owners with the acquisition and redevelopment of various Newark-owned properties, Acting U.S. Attorney…

NEWARK, N.J. – A former City of Newark official and officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) and two business owners were charged today for their roles in a bribery scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Carmelo G. Garcia, 45, of Hoboken, New Jersey; Frank Valvano Jr., 52, of Florham Park, New Jersey; and Irwin Sablosky, 60, of Springfield, New Jersey, are each charged by complaint with one count of…

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Newark Municipal Council and Board of Directors of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) was charged today with scheming to obtain bribes and kickbacks, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Joseph A. McCallum Jr., 65, of Newark, is charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud for allegedly devising a scheme, using interstate wire communications, to defraud Newark and the NCEDC of…

NEWARK, N.J. – The former acting business administrator for the Township of Orange, New Jersey, has been charged in a 28-count indictment with conspiracy, bribe-taking, money and property fraud, federal tax fraud, and making false statements in connection with a mortgage, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today. Willis Edwards III, 49, formerly of East Orange, New Jersey, and currently of Lithonia, Georgia, was charged with 14 counts of…

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man was arrested today by federal agents on charges of mortgage fraud and scheming to defraud the Orange Public Library, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Shenandoah Adams Sr., a/k/a “Shane Adams Sr.,” 54, of New Providence, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with six counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements in connection with a mortgage loan. He is scheduled to appear…